Ecuador
A trip to the highlands
The third day on San Cristóbal is perfect to visit Española, an island in the south. In low season, boats only set sail once or twice a week, so we had to look for an alternative. And we found one: the highlands, where the turtles reside, and a nice walk along the rugged coast. Add an extra day here to do both.
Explore the highlands by taxi
You can find many taxis that offer a tour to the highlands driving around the centre of town all the time. Just stop one on the day you want to go and make sure to not pay more than $60. There are 3 stops on this tour. 🔹 The first stop is El Junco, a volcanic crater lake which you reach after a short climb. The highlands are usually cloudy, making it hard to get a glimpse of the lake. If you're in luck, you'll find the lake on a clear day and you can hike around it. Leaving early can increase your chances of clear weather. 🔹 The next stop is a reserve where giant tortoises run free. To protect the species, there's a breeding centre in the reserve. 🔹 Lastly, you'll visit Puerto Chino beach. After a nice walk downhill along rough vegetation, you reach the beach. On the left side of the beach, there are some rocks that you can climb for a beautiful view of the bay.
Ask the taxi driver to drop you off at la lobería beach.
La Lobería beach
Walk along the short trail that comes out at a rocky beach. Continue walking to the end of the beach and follow the trail along the rocky coast. The path isn't always clear, so keep an eye out for black and white poles. Watch your step. Not only because of the rocky path, but the trail is full of well-camouflaged marine iguanas. The trail leads to the top of a cliff. Enjoy the view! Head back to the beach the same way you came and relax here for a while. The water is calm and crystal clear, making it a great beach for snorkelling.
It's an easy 2km walk from the beach to town.
Sushi is always a good idea
One of the best restaurants on San Cristóbal is definitely Miradori Sushi Pub.
